Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Pat Freiermuth

Friday, October 24, 1:09 PM

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller's pectoral injury is not season-ending, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. Waller suffered a pectoral injury in the Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns and was placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but he should be able to make it back this season. However, the 33-year-old veteran will need to miss at least four games and will not be eligible to return for Miami until Week 13. In the meantime, the team will have to make due with a combination of Julian Hill (ankle), Tanner Conner, and Greg Dulcich at the position in an offense that already lost star receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) for the year. Fantasy managers should be avoiding Miami's TE situation until Waller can return. Waller, who came out of retirement after not playing at all in 2024, got a late start in 2025 due to another injury, but he scored four touchdowns in his first three games before getting injured in Week 7.

Saturday, November 1, 1:32 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth missed practice on Wednesday with a quad injury but has since been removed from the injury report and should be a full-go against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. The fifth-year pro had a massive showing back in Week 7, but followed it up with a quiet three-catch, 13-yard performance in last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. He gets another great matchup on Sunday, as the Colts have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game and fourth-most receptions to opposing tight ends. This contest is projected to be high-scoring, so Freiermuth may see enough opportunities to bounce back for fantasy purposes. Still, with Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington also in the mix for snaps, Freiermuth remains difficult to trust as anything more than a low-end TE2.